Toothbrushing
All patients are required to maintain exemplary oral hygiene throughout their orthodontic treatment to minimise any adverse affects. Brushing must be undertaken twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Where fixed braces are in situ, care should be taken to ensure that teeth are brushed either side of the brackets, in other words, both next to the gum and at the tips of the teeth. Some patients prefer to keep a toothbrush handy to clean after every meal to remove any food particles which may become lodged in the brace.
Interdental toothbrushes
Interdental toothbrushes are recommended for all patients with metal and ceramic fixed braces. These enable patients to clean underneath the wire and in between the brackets, which is particularly important as you will be unable to floss with the braces on.
Fluoride mouthwash
All children, adolescents and some adult patients will benefit from a fluoride mouthwash to reinforce oral hygiene. This is best used once a day, approximately half an hour after brushing the teeth in the evening. Having rinsed out with the mouthwash, nothing but water should be taken before going to bed.
Diet
It is important to watch what you eat during orthodontic treatment. Those patients being treated with removable aligners and appliances are often able to remove them to eat and therefore are less restricted than those undergoing fixed brace therapy.
Patients must keep sugary foods and drinks, including fizzy drinks to a minimum in order to reduce the risk of decay and decalcification which will result in permanent scars on the teeth.
Sticky and hard foods, such as chewing gum, toffees and crusty bread, should also be avoided to help avoid breakages of the braces. The more the braces breaks, the longer treatment will take!
Also, patients should avoid biting into hard foods such as apples, and cut foods into smaller pieces than they normally would to keep the braces intact.
